China occupies high mountains near Pangong Tso, locals live in fear

The Chinese army continues to obstruct Indian patrols in various sectors of eastern Ladakh as its troops have occupied high mountains at Pangong Tso Lake, has learnt.

Movement of locals in forward areas has been restricted and phone networks are down amid the ongoing tension at the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Tashi Namgiyal, an elected representative of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council told that people have not seen such large-scale military build-up in decades.

Namgiyal represents the Tangste constituency that includes areas like Durbuk, Shyok, Galwan and Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO). These are areas where significant action has taken place of late as the Chinese make forays across sectors close to the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

“People are frightened. This kind of deployment has happened for the first time in decades,” Namgiyal said. Accounts from the ground also suggest that there is massive construction and mobilisation in Galwan where 20 Indian soldiers died in a violent face-off with Chinese troops on June 15.

However, infrastructure development on the Indian side has not stopped even though it was one of the reasons that triggered the standoff in early May.

“Some people have shared details. Based on accounts of porters in the forward areas, the Chinese army has deployed troops. Indian army has not stopped construction work on bridges and roads despite the Chinese aggression,” Namgiyak said.

Even though Namgiyal does not represent the area close to Pangong Tso Lake that has been one of the biggest flashpoints between the two sides, he says he got the chance to visit the villages close by as part of the delegations on June 5 and June 20.